VIEWS OF MR NASH

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24865, 3 May 1946, Page 7

VIEWS OF MR NASH

“BURDEN MUST BE SHARED”PRESERVING LAW AND ORDER (Special Correspondent NXJ3AJ ... . . ■ LONDON, May 1. „.A great advance in thinking on this problem,” is the opinion of the P?S ut X: Pr ™ e Minister of New z“. land (the Rt. Hon. W. Nash) on the report of the British and American Committee of Inquiry into Palestine and the condition of Jews in Europe, which the Commonwealth Ministers discussed yesterday in Downing Street . “But” Mr Nash continued, “it is not only a problem for the United Kingdom. The burden must be shared jointly by the United States and the United Kingdom Governments. In endeavouring to attain a solution they must also carry the support of all enlightened States throughout the world Money alone will not solve this problem, although it will be a heavy burden. “Since the recommendations are not likely to command the immediate support of either Arab or Jew, it will be necessary to. take measures for the preservation of law and order. One of the most important steps that must be taken is the elimination of private armies and terrorist organisations. This is fundamental to the settlement of any number of immigrants and the economic and peaceful development of Palestine. It is a burden for which the United States must accept its share of responsibility. “The future of the territory must also be considered. I feel that there should be a trusteeship under the United Nations, because the problem of Palestine is not solely a United Kingdom and United States problem. It is one of the problems of the world.” Mr Nash also considered that the stress in the committee’s report on the implied acceptance of joint responsibility was an advance on the position that had existed for many years. He did not know how it would be possible to accommodate another 100,000 people in Palestine, but he did know that the commission consisted of some of the ablest, wisest, and most farseeing men of Britain and the United States. If general acceptance of the proposals could be reached by the Jews and Arabs, then future conditions could be better.

“A striking feature of the report is the responsibility laid down for raising the living standards of the Arab people,” he said. Mr Nash continued: “On the evidence of the past,, the Jews have made a remarkable contribution towards developing the resources of Palestine. Without full knowledge, it does seem that the Arabs are also living under better conditions now than it appears they would have been had the Jews not been there with their energy, skill, brain, and initiative. There is an old adage that bread and living standards are not enough and there are feelings among the nationals of the area that must be taken into account Given the will, the difficulties of the past and present may be overcome within a reasonable time.”